Ohio School District Report CardThe Ohio School Report Cards are scheduled to be released September 15. You will see a drastic drop in school ratings across the state. Recently, I collaborated with 11 area superintendents to discuss our collective response to those results. That response was shared with the Times Reporter. Additionally, I have attached a letter for the Garaway community (click here for letter). Please remember, our teachers are the most caring and skilled professionals that you can find in the field of education. Don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or thoughts: JMillet@Garaway.org

Garaway Virtual Academy is taking enrollments now for the 2016-2017 school year. If your family is thinking about online education, join our family at GVA. We are creatively educating students through positive relationships.

GVA will:

Provide the opportunity to be a 100% online learner

Provide the opportunity to be a blended learner (classes at home & classes at school)

Over the past decade, districts around Ohio have observed a significant number of students leaving their local school districts to attend large online charter schools like QDA, ECOT, OHVA, OHDELA and Beacon Hill Academy. Garaway is faced with thousands of dollars in lost funding from students leaving the district. As a result, we have decided that we can offer a significantly better, flexible online program to students. Our online program empowers teachers to reach students who want access to alternative forms of education.

Garaway Local Schools launched a digital program option in July 2015, Garaway Virtual Academy (GVA), following a successful pilot program that concluded this past school year. GVA is guided by the same values and staff that have made our school district highly rated. Parents and students will want to join and utilize the GVA option to stay connected to their school community. Local digital academies like GVA keep local dollars local and help prevent a loss of funding as students leave for large, privately managed, public online academies.

Parents are looking for better educational experiences and flexible learning options. Garaway Virtual Academy will achieve both of these goals using Garaway teachers as opposed to computers or distance learning teachers from outside the district or state. If districts like Garaway do not address the growing need for alternative options for students, it is likely that the upward trend of dropouts and shrinking budgets for local districts will continue. Programs are discontinued, and teachers and administrative employees are downsized when budgets are cut, so opportunities to grow enrollment should be supported by the community. Garaway Superintendent James Millet states, “We are working to be proactive to address this issue. It is our duty to serve the students of this district to the best of our ability. We have realized that there is a portion of our students which we could serve that we have not, and through this digital academy, those students will get the flexibility they need. GVA is not meant to push kids from our brick-and-mortar facilities. Instead, we are helping students that are already opting for alternative education to continue receiving support from their local district. The students can also continue to participate in Garaway’s highly respected social and extracurricular activities, which helps them maintain a well-rounded education and thrive.”

Please join us in enhancing our school district in positive, flexible, and innovative ways. Please also join us in our open house on August 4th, 2015 at 6:30PM in the new learning lab at the Garaway 7-12 facility. You can also call to enroll by contacting Chuck Zobel, Virtual Coordinator, at 330-852-2421.

Follow us on TwitterGaraway has some new Twitter accounts. We want to make our positive news go viral. Spread the word. Also, if you post something online that promotes our school or students tag it with: #garawaypride. That hashtag will be a great way to chronicle all of our positive news throughout this school year. Let's show the world the best school in America. You can follow us at the following accounts:

ID-R-Kids Program Obtaining an ID card for our school age children from grades K-10 makes common sense for so many reasons. Not only does it provide a photo for law enforcement in the event that a child is reported missing it will also assist in getting in touch with parents or guardians in an emergency. It also permits parents or guardians to be notified if the child is hospitalized due to a serious health problem or injury.

To educate all children, and to develop their individual abilities to their highest potential, enabling them to make intelligent life choices. We will do this through an activity-based curriculum, presented in a nurturing learning environment, by a well-prepared and dedicated staff, in concert with our parents and community.